Jack Smith Moves to Dismiss Trump's Jan. 6 and Documents Cases  —  The special counsel effectively brought to a close the Justice Department efforts to hold Donald J. Trump accountable in the election and classified documents cases.  —  The special counsel Jack Smith asked two courts on Monday …

Trump lawyers investigate allegations that top aide sought financial gain from influence with president-elect, sources say  —  Attorneys for Donald Trump conducted an internal investigation into allegations that one of his top aides, Boris Epshteyn, has sought to gain financially from his influence …

Trump pledges tariffs on Canada and Mexico, more on China too  —  U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that on his first day in office he would impose a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the trade of illicit drugs.

Biden will attend Trump's inauguration in January, White House says  —  President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, the White House said Monday.  —  Before the election, Mr. Biden said he would attend, regardless of who won.

Popular vote totals make Trump's ‘mandate’ look like a mirage  —  Donald Trump won the popular vote, but more Americans voted against him than for him — discrediting Republican talk about an electoral “mandate.”  —  As the latest episode of NBC News' “Meet the Press” began …

‘Huge relief.’ CEOs exhale after Trump taps Scott Bessent to lead Treasury  —  New York CNN —  Business leaders say they are relieved President-elect Donald Trump made a safe choice to lead the Department of Treasury after more unconventional selections to other cabinet posts.

The Democrats' Billionaire Mistake  —  Let us extend our ethic of care to our celebrities, and in particular white celebrities, so many of whom contributed their time and talent to the Kamala Harris campaign.  These people understand both justice and mercy, and their greatest concern …

Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, another chapter in a strange tradition  —  A lame-duck president “pardoned” a turkey Monday.  —  “They tell me there's 2,500 people here today looking for a pardon,” President Biden joked at a White House ceremony on the South Lawn.

Donald Trump's Luck with the Economy May Be Turning  —  Donald Trump got lucky in his first term.  When he arrived, inflation was low, unemployment was falling and growth was steady.  He applied a bit of juice via his large regressive tax cut, and the economy accelerated without triggering inflation.

Megyn Kelly Admits Pete Hegseth Is Not Marriage Material  —  ROASTED  —  Despite her criticism of Hegseth, Kelly defended her former colleague from allegations of sexual violence.  —  Megyn Kelly had choice words for her former Fox News colleague Pete Hegseth and his “marital history,” …

As California achieves historic milestone, Governor Newsom commits to restarting state's ZEV rebate program if federal tax credit is eliminated  —  What you need to know: California continues to lead the nation in ZEV adoption, surpassing 2 million electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles sold across the state.

Republicans Freak Out Over Trump's Choice for Labor Secretary  —  It might be the most shocking news yet to come out of this roller-coaster of a transition: After weeks of choosing cabinet secretaries who seem determined to destroy the agencies they will lead, Donald Trump announced the choice …

Former FBI agent urges Biden to order background checks on Trump's Cabinet picks  —  FBI background checks for Cabinet nominees is a long-established practice in Washington  —  President-elect Donald Trump's decision not to do background checks on his Cabinet picks could come back to haunt him …

Devoted Aide Who Keeps Good News Flowing Will Follow Trump to the White House  —  Natalie Harp, a 33-year-old former anchor on a right-wing cable show, is poised to become the primary conveyor belt for information to and from the president.  —  President-elect Donald J. Trump has always demanded loyalty …

The Texas Ob-Gyn Exodus  —  Amid increasingly stringent abortion laws, doctors who provide maternal care have been fleeing the state.  —  Eight months after the fall of Roe v. Wade, Vanessa Garcia lay on a hospital table in Texas's Rio Grande Valley, as a technician performed an ultrasound.

Scoop: Trump likely to tap loyalist Kash Patel for top FBI or DOJ post … Trump still could change his mind, including by elevating Patel all the way to FBI director — a move that would send Gaetz-like shockwaves throughout Washington.  — “Kash has a lot of allies who think placing …

Republicans gear up for the coming battle over $5 trillion tax cut's costs … WATCH NOW  —  As Republicans on Capitol Hill lay the groundwork for extending the 2017 tax cuts, cracks are already emerging on one of the biggest questions: how to handle the cost.

Michael Blake is running for mayor — with a backup plan  —  For a guy who is notably ambitious, even for politics, Michael Blake's latest play hints at parody.  —  Blake has launched a campaign for mayor of New York City at the same time that he's eyeing a run for chair of the Democratic National Committee.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison Sets Out First Steps In Process for Electing Incoming Chair, DNC Officers  —  In a letter to the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, DNC Chair Harrison announced plans for four candidate forums in the new year and set the date of the DNC Winter Meeting for January 30 - February 1